Marines


MCAS Cherry Point News

 

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Marines, Sailors and civilians walk around to different information booths at the annual Health Fair Dec. 6 at the Cherry Tree House aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. The Health Fair featured information booths and demonstrations to help spread awareness about habits for healthy living whether it be physical health or mental health.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Victor A. Arriaga

Health Fair educates Marines, Sailors, families

12 Dec 2013 | Lance Cpl. Victor A. Arriaga

Physical and mental health is a part of any service member’s life. However, being knowledgeable about healthy lifestyles and habits requires continuous learning.

Marines, Sailors and civilians gathered for the annual Semper Fit Health Fair at the Cherry Tree House aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Dec. 6.

Participants received information regarding mental and physical health and spoke to subject matter experts regarding healthy habits and lifestyles.

“This type of event allows military personnel and family members a chance to come out and receive information about what is available to them on base and out in town,” said Berna Crosby, the special event coordinator for Marine Corps Community Services. “This allows us to bring all the information to them in a more convenient manner.”

Subject matter experts and military personnel were on hand at the health fair to provide patrons with information regarding physical fitness such as chiropractic rehabilitation centers and educational benefits to work the mind.

It is important to be physically fit, but being mentally fit and knowledgeable about education is just as important, said Master Sgt. Fred D. Brock, the personal and professional development representative with Marine and Family Programs.

“We do like to work the mind,” said Brock. “Education is one of the things I, and probably a lot of other people, believe
makes a Marine mentally fit.”

In addition to receiving information from different stations at the health fair, patrons were able to participate in a study that simulated what life is like for people with dementia, a chronic disorder of the mental process. The study allowed them to learn about the mental illness. Participants equipped themselves with gear such as ear muffs, to simulate sounds people with dementia may hear. After participants donned the gear, they attempted to perform five simple tasks like setting a table or putting on a sweater.

“It was pretty interesting going through that study, and it makes me more understanding of what some people are going through with dementia,” said Fallyn Howard, wife of Petty Officer 3rd Class Chavis Howard, a corpsman with the Naval Health Clinic. “It was pretty unpleasant and it made you really think.”

According to Crosby, it is important to be able to sit down and get information regarding health to avoid complications in the future.
“You only get one body and you have to take care of it,” said Crosby. “A lot of times people don’t know what they need to do to keep healthy. It’s good to be able to sit and talk with subject matter experts, so there’s nothing better than this.”

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point